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Bible Dictionaries
Obscene Object

Holman Bible Dictionary

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REB translation for an object the queen mother Maacah erected for the worship of Asherah, a fertility goddess (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:16 ). The precise nature of the image is unclear. The Vulgate or early Latin translation took the image to be a phallic emblem. Some recent interpreters have suggested a stylized palm tree as a symbol of fertility. Alternate translations include: idol (KJV); abominable image (NRSV); repulsive Asherah pole (NIV); and horrid image for Asherah (NAS). See Asherah; Fertility Cults.

Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Obscene Object'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​o/obscene-object.html. 1991.
 
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